Don't Parent Without God

When Manoah’s wife told him that a man of God came to her and told her they were going to have a baby boy, Manoah's response was to pray . . . “Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born.” And when the angel of the Lord returned a second time, Manoah asked, “When (not IF) your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?” 

Was my first question, when I found out I was pregnant, “Lord, give me more instructions about my unborn child?” Unfortunately no . . . my first question was, “Where are the potato chips, greasy French fries, and lemonade?” Those were the only foods I could keep down the first 30 days or so of my first pregnancy!

Before their baby was even conceived, Manoah asked the Lord to give instructions on how to parent this son coming into their lives. Even though they wanted to, Manoah and his wife did not do everything right in raising Samson. For one thing, they allowed Samson to pressure them into helping him marry outside of Israel . . . to be unequally yoked! It says that at first, Samson’s parents “objected strenuously” to him marrying a Philistine. But I believe Samson “wore them down,” and his parents gave up and gave in.

Wouldn’t it be nice if babies were born with a “parenting manual” attached! Parenting is a learning process.  God is the perfect parent and instructor . . . our parenting manual the Word of God, along with the Holy Spirit and prayer. Raising our children to be adults who serve God is hard work but very rewarding. With God’s help, fathers and mothers can walk in agreement and consistency as they raise their children for Him and for His glory!

“Direct your children . . . and grandchildren and great-grandchildren (added) . . . onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NLT)